[Publib] The Cashless Library

[Styer, C. Michelle]

Our university has gone more or less cashless with what we call the Herd Points system (made possible through Blackboard).  The library itself has been cashless for about a year now.  Though somewhat annoying for all in the beginning, it has been fairly well accepted by the students at this point (campus points system has been active for a couple years).  This is largely handled through our ID office and the Blackboard system, but has been largely successful.  Patrons can add money to their University ID card (picture ID used for all campus activities).  The "points" can then be used to pay for library fines, cafeteria purchases, vending machines, copies and printouts.  Our library (as well as other key locations on campus) have Points vending machines which work like a reverse ATM allowing our patrons to add as many or as few points to their card as they deem necessary by swiping their ID and inserting bills into the machine.  They also have the option of going straight to the ID office and having money taken directly from their Debit/credit account and turned into points (great if they know they use a lot of points).

Depending on the services you offer to your patrons that require a fee (copies, printouts, vending machines, etc), a gift card or points payment system could be very useful.  If you're interested in more details about how the Blackboard Points system works, let me know and I will put you in contact with our ID office.



"From an accounting standpoint this is not a problem but it must show up in the financial statements as a liability.? There may be some state rules as to how long the money can remain on the card but I am not aware of them.? It is very similar to a gift card in that way - gift cards are not generally refunded nor do you need to notify a customer that they have not used their gift card."

> ?

> Mindy Kittay



I still think checking banking laws is a good idea.? There is a big difference between a voluntary purchase of a gift card and a situation in which someone is forced to put more money than they owe on a card in order to pay a fine.



Diane



Diane Swint Levin

Reference Librarian

Eagle Valley Library District

P.O. Box 977

Avon, CO 81620

970 949-6797


C. Michelle Styer
Database Technician II
Marshall University
Drinko Library Circulation Dept.
alford4 at marshall.edu

The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries.
- Descartes

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